This cross-sectional survey assessed choices of canine delivery methods among 384 dog ownersin Southeast Nigeria. It focused on patterns of natural birth versus caesarean section (C-section),owner perceptions, and reported neonatal outcomes. Data were collected between August andDecember 2025 using structured questionnaire. Natural birth alone was the predominant method(76.0%), while C-section alone was used by only 7.8% of owners while 16.1% had used bothmethods. Majority of those who used C-section, did so only on emergencies (55.5%), with only2.3% opting for elective procedures. Owners perceived natural birth as superior for neonatalsurvival (mean rating 4.26±1.06 vs. 3.79±1.22 for C-section), and 63.8% believed natural birthyields the highest survival rates. There was a significant association between the delivery methodand reported puppy survival (χ²=81.77, p<0.001), though causality cannot be inferred. Notably,25.5% of owners reported no assistance during their bitches’ deliveries. Only 27.6% had licensedveterinarians present, indicating substantial gaps in professional obstetrical care. The findingsrevealed a strong preference for non- interventional delivery methods, a preference for C-sectiononly on emergency, and critical deficiencies in access to veterinary obstetric services. There isneed for targeted education on dystocia recognition, breed-related risks, and timely veterinaryassistance to improve canine neonatal outcomes in resource-limited settings.
The brachial plexus is a complex network of nerves that originates from the ventral rami of C5 through T1 nerve roots and provides sensory and motor innervation to the forelimb and pectoral region. There has been an increased use of the Greater Cane Rat (GCR) (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck) as an indigenous research rat model in studying the nervous system. There is, however, a dearth of information on the anatomical origin of the brachial plexus of this rodent. In this study, the brachial plexus of the GCR was investigated using six adult greater cane rats, (three males, three females). The brachial plexus primarily originated from the caudal branch of theventral rami of cervical nerve 5 (C5), cervical nerve 6 (C6), cervical nerve 7 (C7), cervical nerve 8 (C8), and cranial branch of the ventral ramus of first thoracic nerve (T1). The smaller cranial trunk was formed by the caudal branch of the ventral rami of C5 and C6, while the larger caudal trunk was formed by the ventral rami of C7, C8, and T1. The branch formed by the joining of the ventral rami of C5 andC6 gave off the phrenic nerve before participating in the formation of the brachial plexus. This study highlighted some of the gross characteristics of the brachial plexus of the GCR, as they provide baseline information on their anatomy. The information generated provides a basis for the GCR’s use as research models for comparative and translational brachial plexus studies, for an increased understanding and management of brachial plexopathies, and to provide a clinical reference point in the assessment of the GCR spinal nerves.
This study evaluated the bacteria from homogenized midgut of Hyalomma ticks of goats in Maiduguri, Nigeria using cultural isolation and biochemical characterization of homogenized migut of Hyalomma ticks. A total of eleven (11) isolates were obtained including Staphylococcus aureus with the highest frequency of 3(27.3%), Enterococcus species, Proteus mirabilis and Bacillus species with 2 (18.2%) each and Escherichia coli and Corynebacterium species with 1 (9.1%) each. Descriptive analysis of the bacterial isolates revealed Escherichia coli appearing greyish white with large, thick, moist, smooth, opaque or mucoid colonies on MacConkey agar, and as pinkish, rod or bacilli, gram negative, indole, nitrate reduction and MR-VP positive but oxidase negative. Staphylococcus aureus appeared fairly large golden yellow colonies on rich medium and round opaque and as purple violet colour, spherical or cocci in cluster, gram positive,catalase, glucose and coagulase positive but oxidase negative. Proteus mirabilis appeared swarming with a characteristic smell on MacConkey Agar, slender rods, gram negative, indole, citrate, lactose, sucrose, mannitol, urease positive. Enterococcus Species appeared mucoid on MacConkey Agar, in pairs or chain with rod shape, gram positive and lactic acid fermenters. Bacillus species appeared as circular ridges, smooth, moist, sticky and medium sized colonies, arranged in long chain, rod, gram positive, and catalase positive. Corynebacterium species appeared small, grayish colonies with granular appearance, mostly translucent but with opaque centers, convex with continuous borders, rod or bacilli and shows metachromatic granules when stained with methylene blue, gram positive, catalase positive some are oxidase negative. Further study is needed to understand the relationship between midgut bacterial community and tick– pathogen interaction.
Respiratory diseases are major causes of morbidity and mortality in captive birds. This reportdescribes the clinical, pathological, and microbiological features of a case caused by a multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus in a small flock of exotic Brahmachickens at the University of Ibadan Zoological Garden. It highlights its zoonotic andantimicrobial-resistance implications. This paper reports a case of small Brahma birds thatexperienced an initial respiratory infection compounded by moderate intestinal coccidiosis. Twocarcasses were necropsied. Samples from the liver, trachea and intestine were collected for aerobicbacterial culture and identification using API kits while antimicrobial susceptibility testing wasperformed using Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Intestinal scrapings were examined forcoccidia species by light microscopy, and representative tissues were processed for histopathology.Three (75%) out of the four affected chickens died. Post-mortem examination revealed severe airsacculitis, pulmonary congestion, hepatomegaly with steatosis, and: catarrhal enteritis withpetechiae haemorages. Aerobic cultures isolated E. coli and S. aureus from multiple organs.Antimicrobial testing confirmed the isolates as multidrug resistant, including resistance togentamicin, amoxicillin, and cephalosporins (cefotaxime, ceftriaxone). Histopathologycorroborated air sacculitis, tracheitis, hepatic steatosis, and enteritis. Empirical oxytetracyclinetherapy failed to control the infection. The case shows that small captive bird flocks can serve as reservoirs of multidrug-resistant, potentially zoonotic pathogens and highlights the limitations ofempirical treatment without laboratory confirmation.
The study aims to evaluate the reproductive toxicity of Povidone iodine (PVI) in male Wistar rats.Sixty male Wistar rats, weighing 150–160 g and ranging from 12–14 weeks, were split into groupsarbitrarily A-D (n=15). Group A served as the control and received 1 mL of distilled water orally,whereas Groups B, C, and D received graded doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight (bw)of PVI orally. All administration was done once daily for 10 days. Five (5) rats were randomlyselected from each group at days 3, 5, and 10 for the evaluation of reproductive toxicity. A bloodsample was collected and the serum harvested for the evaluation of Malondialdehyde (MDA),catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) using a standard protocol. Following the bloodcollection, the rats were caringly sacrificed. The testes and epididymides from both the control andtreated groups were removed. The left testes were individually macerated for sperm analysis, whilethe right testes and epididymides were fixed and processed for histomorphological evaluation. ThePVI at test doses causes oxidative stress by increasing MDA and decreasing CAT and SOD,affecting enzyme activities over 3, 5, and 10 days. Sperm motility, concentration, viability, Leydigcell population, testicular membrane thickness, and epididymal sperm reserves are significantlyreduced. Sub-acute PVI above 250 mg/kg bw impairs male reproductive parameters by inducingoxidative stress, linked to decreased sperm quality and architecture of the testes and epididymis
Captive monkeys in zoo environments face various stressors that could significantly impact theirhealth, behaviour, and welfare. Continuous stay in captive settings with attendant human visitorscould trigger apprehension and other stressors in monkeys Non-invasive monitoring of stressthrough faecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs) provides a valuable tool for assessing adrenocorticoidactivity without the stressor effects associated capture and restraint procedures. This study aim isto determine the baseline values of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites for monkeys in captivity atthe Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Zoo Park, and to evaluate the effectsof species, sex, and human visitors on cortisol concentrations over a four-week period. Twelvemonkeys representing five species (Papio anubis, Erythrocebus patas, Cercopithecus nictitans, C.mona, and C. aethiops) were monitored over four weeks with faecal samples collected at seven-day intervals. Samples were dried, extracted using 80% methanol, and analysed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses included repeated measures ANOVA,Friedman test, one-way ANOVA, and independent t-tests. Significant temporal variation in cortisollevels was observed across the four-week study period (P-value= 0.012). There was significantdifferences in stress levels amongst species studied (p-value= 0.015), Visitors exposure indicesshowed a non-significant trend. (p-value= 0.087), gender difference was also non- significant (p-value= 0.257). This study demonstrates that stress assessment in captive monkeys requireslongitudinal monitoring rather than single-point measurements, as cortisol levels changesignificantly over time. Species-specific differences in stress responses highlight the need fortailored welfare protocols. The result of the study indicates that predictable human interactionsmay be less stressful to monkeys than inconsistent and unpredictable moderate exposures toanthropogenic activities.
The skull is a distinct aspect of an animal’s anatomy, providing valuable information on the characteristics of individual bones. Its morphological trait has a considerable impact on the phenotype of an animal's head, being of great importance in the body’s overall anatomical framework. However, information on the morphological characteristics of the skull of the Nigerian local pig (NLP) appears to be unavailable. For this study, 24 adult NLP (12 males and 12 females) skulls were used to describe some aspect of the gross morphology. Adult NLP skulls had frontal, lateral, nuchal and basal surfaces. The dorsal surface had the supraorbital foramina, and grooves present, and was formed principally by the parietal, frontal, and nasal bones. The lateral surface was formed by the premaxilla and maxilla bones, a wide zygomatic arch, and an incomplete orbit. The nuchal surface was formed by the occipital bone, the foramen magnum, and the elongated paracondylar process, while the basal surface was formed by the hard palate. The mandible was the largest bone, with a body and two vertical rami. The ossified mandibular symphysis formed an immovable joint, while the mandibular rami were slightly concave, bearing multiple mental, and the mandibular foramina. This study showed that the morphology of the NLP skull is similar to other pig breeds, with slight variations. The information on the morphology of the NLP skull may be useful as taxonomic reference values, in clinical veterinary medicine, zooarcheology, and sexual dimorphism studies.
Marek’s Disease (MD) is a highly contagious and economically significant viral disease of poultry caused by Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2. Despite vaccination efforts, MD remains a major challenge to poultry production in Nigeria. This study investigated the occurrence of Marek’s disease virus (MDV) in selected poultry farms across Oyo and Akwa Ibom States, Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional study design, eighty-four (n=84) samples were purposively collected from clinically affected birds (layers, broilers, and turkeys). These were: blood (40), liver (21), spleen (8), kidney (5), ovaries (6), and Bursa of Fabricius (4). Molecular detection using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeted a 491bp segment of the glycoprotein B (glyB) gene, followed by sequencing analysis. The overall MDV prevalence was 14.3%, with turkeys (20.0%), layers (15.0%), and broilers (10.5%), though not statistically significant (χ²=0.38, p=0.82). Birds aged 25-36 weeks showed the highest MDV prevalence (17.3%), and a higher rate was observed in birds with history of single vaccination (18.5%) compared to repeated vaccination and prevalence was higher in Oyo (15.9%) than in Akwa Ibom (6.7%). The PCR analysis confirmed MDV with amplification of the 491bp segment of the glyB gene. Phylogenetic analysis of positive MDV-isolates showed clustering with virulent strains from the USA, Australia, and Israel. This study highlights the persistence of MD in Nigeria despite vaccination efforts, suggesting potential vaccine failures or viral evolution. Enhanced surveillance, vaccination strategies, and biosecurity measures are recommended to mitigate its negative impacts on food security in Nigeria and the West African region.
Gangrenous oesophageal necrosis (black oesophagus) is a rare condition in domestic and wild animals, but has been widely investigated and documented in humans. There are no reports of this condition in the African lion (Panthera leo). This case report describes a fatal occurrence of the condition in a 9-year-old male captive African lion with a history of severe dental caries that caused recurrent sepsis and post-prandial emesis. At first presentation, the haematology showed marked thrombocytopaenia and moderate neutropaenia and lymphopaenia suggestive of waning immunity associated with a systemic viral disease most likely Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). The condition persisted for about three years during which there were clinical interventions which included dental debridement and flushing, antibiotics, and analgesics. In spite of these interventions, the animal eventually presented with persistent vomiting and inappetence. Further therapeutic intervention, including antimicrobial therapy based on microbial culture and sensitivity did not offer any relief. The lion died 35 days after it was presented with postprandial emesis and inappetence. Postmortem examination revealed cachexia, severe dental wear, and diffuse greenish-black gangrenous necrosis of the entire oesophageal mucosa, with impaction of the distal oesophagus by approximately half a kilogram of rotting meat and 450ml of brownish fluid. Histopathology showed necrosis and inflammation of the oesophageal mucosa and submucosa as well as aspiration pneumonia. This case highlights that severe dental disease and immunosuppression can be associated with oesophageal impaction, ischaemia, and gangrenous oesophageal necrosis in the African lion. It also underscores the critical importance of proactive dental care and dietary management of captive lions to prevent this fatal condition.
This clinical case report documented the laboratory diagnosis of infectious bursal disease and colibacillosis in a flock of 4,000, 3-week-old isa brown chickens in Jos, Nigeria. The diagnosis was established based on a combination of clinical history, gross and histopathologic findings, serologic analysis, bacterial culture and identification, and molecular detection of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) from affected bursal tissues. Key gross and histopathologic lesions observed included enlargement of the bursa of Fabricius, ecchymotic and suffusive haemorrhages in the thigh and pectoral muscles, along with oedema, necrosis, and lymphoid depletion in the bursal lymphoid tissues. Serologic testing demonstrated low antibody titres against IBDV, indicating a poor immune response in the affected birds. PCR detection confirmed the presence of a 743bp fragment of the VP2 gene of IBDV. Based on these findings, the outbreak was confirmed as Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro) complicated by concurrent colibacillosis. The remaining birds were treated with V-ox® (Ceva, India), a virucide formulation administered at a dose of 1g/L of drinking water, alongside an oral Pen-Provit WSP® (Penicillin G-procaine+streptomycin sulphate + vitamins + folic acid + Ca d-pantothenate +nicotinic acid) (KEPRO, Kuipersweg, The Netherlands) preparation at 1g/L of drinking water for 10 consecutive days. Following treatment, a total of 1,848 birds survived. The outcomes highlighted the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach, combining clinical history, postmortem examination, microbial culture and susceptibility testing, serologic evaluation, and molecular diagnostics, for the reliable identification and effective management of concurrent infectious bursal disease and colibacillosis outbreaks in poultry production systems.
Newcastle disease virus is an important poultry disease worldwide, affecting almost all bird species with significant losses usually associated with chickens. Non-chicken bird species have a role to play in the ecology of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) as they are able to serve as reservoirs that can contribute to viral transmission across bird’s species. In this study, the hemagglutination Inhibition test was used to investigate the serostatus of antibodies to NDV in non-chicken birds in Makurdi metropolis. The overall serostatus of anti-NDV antibodies in these bird species was found to be 29.05%, with species-specific prevalence rates of 51.2%, 7.3%, 34.8%, 12%, and 0% in Turkeys, Pigeons, Ducks, Guinea fowl, and Doves respectively. This study has added to the existing understanding of the seroprevalence and role of non-chicken birds in the epidemiology of NDV, particularly in the Makurdi , and underscores the need for region-specific surveillance and intervention measures.
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease with a global distribution, with the highest burden in tropical and subtropical regions. This study investigates the socioeconomic impact, management approaches, and demographic characteristics of leptospirosis among dog owners in Jos Plateau State, Nigeria. A total of 188 questionnaires were administered to dog owners, and data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 24. The study reveals that semi-intensive (41%) and intensive (38.3%) dog housing systems were prevalent, with Caucasian breeds being the most common (38.8%). Despite a high DHLPP vaccination rate (91.0%), significant financial losses due to dog mortality were reported by 63.3% of respondents. The presence of rats around kennels poses a high risk for zoonotic transmission, exacerbated by a reliance on rat poison (70.7%). Awareness of leptospirosis is limited, with only 52.7% of dog owners familiar with the disease, and many misidentifying its bacterial nature. A high mortality rate post-doxycycline treatment (76.6%) raises concerns about treatment efficacy and early diagnosis. Additionally, 47.3% of respondents reported losing bitches at a late stage of pregnancy. Alarmingly, some respondents admitted to selling deceased dogs for consumption, raising serious public health concerns. These findings highlight the need for enhanced disease awareness, biosecurity measures, and improved disease management strategies to mitigate leptospirosis risks and economic losses.
Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, including Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) and O157-producing Escherichia coli, pose significant challenges to public health and poultry farming. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) and O157-producing Escherichia coli among broiler chickens in Abia State, Nigeria. A total of 334 cloacal swab samples were collected from broiler birds across various local government areas (LGAs), including both farms (156 samples) and central markets (178 samples). Isolation and identification of E. coli were performed using standard microbiological techniques, followed by screening for ESBL production using the Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST) and O157 identification through the Latex Agglutination Test. The overall prevalence of E. coli was 80.8%, with a higher occurrence in market samples (86.5%) compared to farm samples (74.4%). Statistically significant (p=0.04) variability was observed across LGAs, with the highest E. coli prevalence in Aba South (95.2%) and the lowest in Umuahia North (63.3%). Among the isolates resistant to cephalosporins, 36 (43.9%) were confirmed as ESBL producers, with Ikwuano LGA exhibiting a 100% prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli. Conversely, no resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was detected in Aba South, Aba North, and Bende. O157-producing E. coli was identified in only 4 isolates (4.9%), and all from Umuahia North. Antibiotic resistance profiling revealed that resistance was highest for cefotaxime (46.67%) and lowest for meropenem (8.89%). These findings highlight the considerable presence of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli in broiler birds in Abia State, underscoring the need for improved antibiotic stewardship and biosecurity measures to mitigate the spread of resistant strains.
The research was conducted on two groups (n=5 per group) of Savannah brown goats with the aim of determining the circadian leucocytic and erythrocytic responses to daily oral melatonin supplementation during the early rainy season in Zaria, Nigeria. Melatonin(0.3mg/kg) was administered orally to the goats in one of the groups at 18:00 h of the day prior to taking blood sample and meteorological parameters at 6:00 h to 6:00 h of the next day. Experimental data for both groups were taken on days 1, 8 and 14 of the study periods. The overall mean circadian values of dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity and temperature-humidity index were 29.13 ± 1.21 ºC, 59.8 ± 5.70 % and 77.94 ± 1.09, respectively. The relative humidity values correlated significantly (P < 0.05) positive with the total white blood cell counts of the control (r = 0.2204) and melatonin-administered (r = 0.2792) groups and with the lymphocyte count (r = 0.2550) of the melatonin-administered group only. The total white blood cell counts at 12:00 h of day 1, neutrophil count at 6:00 h of day 14 of the melatonin-administered bucks were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than their corresponding control values. The overall circadian monocyte counts of day 8 was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the control group. There was no significant difference between the examined erythrocytic parameters in the two groups. Inferentially, the oral melatonin administration to the bucks at 18:00 h seemingly boosted the immune status of the bucks during the early hours of the next day.
The pathology and pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative bacterium often isolated from diseased Clarias gariepinus, remain unclear. This study seeks to elucidate its pathology and pathogenesis in this species through experimental infection. An overnight broth culture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.7x109 CFU/ml) originally isolated from a Clarias gariepinus carcass during a previous outbreak was used. The culture was administered via intraperitoneal injection to 50 adult and 50 juveniles Clarias gariepinus, using doses of 1 ml and 0.2 ml, respectively, while a control group of 10 adults and 10 juveniles each received equivalent saline doses. Mortality was 70% in adults within 6 days and 16% in juveniles within 6 hours, with no subsequent deaths. Gross lesions, including enlarged pale yellow to brown enlarged livers, ascites and widespread haemorrhages were frequently observed in adults but absent in the juveniles. Histopathology revealed degenerative and inflammatory lesions mainly in the liver, gills and arborescent organs of infected adults. The haematology showed that infected adults developed anaemia (PCV 31.42±7.62% vs. control 39.60±5.62%), leukocytosis (WBC 18085.42±1810.75/μL vs. control 17060.00±936.84/μL), thrombocytosis (PLT 157083.33±32521.45/μL vs. control 103100.00±19941.30/μL) and hypoproteinaemia (TP 6.08±0.97g/dl vs. control 7.08±0.74g/dl) 48 hours post-infection. At day 35, there was also anaemia and thrombocytosis, however, there was a leukopaenia (WBC 15,795.33±1,050.09/μl vs. Control 17,060.00±936.84 /μl) and a hypoglobulinaemia (GLB 4.58±0.31g/dl vs. control 4.90±0.22). We conclude that the Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate is highly pathogenic to Clarias gariepinus, causing acute fatal septicaemia with severe organ pathology. Adults were more susceptible, and survivors had suppressed immunity.
Fowl Pox (FP) is a globally important avian disease with no standardized treatment, thus vaccination remains the most effective strategy for the prevention and control of the disease. Fowl Pox vaccines in most countries are propagated on chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), but the use of cell cultures which is more economical, productive and immunogenic has found widespread application in modern veterinary vaccinology, but not in Nigeria. Thus, the need for Nigeria to align with the global best practices in the search of FP virus vaccines that is highly infectious and immunogenic. This study evaluated and compared the immunogenicity of various cell culture adapted vaccines. Fowl pox virus (vaccine seed) was propagated in Vero cells, chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF), duck embryo fibroblast (DEF) and quail embryo fibroblast (QEF) and harvested after attaining 80-90% cytopathic effect, and subjected to sterility tests using Tryptose Soya broth and Thioglycolate medium. The Tissue Culture Infective Dose (TCID50/mL) were calculated using Spearman-Kärber formula. Pre -and- post vaccination antibody levels were analysed using Agar Gel Immunodiffusion test and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay respectively. The study demonstrated that FP vaccines produced in various suspension cell culture were sterile and immunogenic, with titres as follows: CEF = 109.3 TCID50/mL, QEF = 108.6 TCID50/mL, DEF = 107.6 TCID50/mL, and Vero = 107.3 TCID50/mL. Birds developed “takes” within 7 days post-vaccination (PV) and high level of serum antibodies was also induced PV. Further studies is required to determine the longevity of the induced antibodies and when booster doses should administered.
This study evaluated the effects of pregnancy and lactation on the serum liver function markers and protein profiles of large white (LW) sows. Thirty (30) sexually matured LW sows and eight (8) boars, of mean weight 45.38±1.29 kg, aged between 8 and 10 months were used for this study. The sows were randomly assigned to five groups (A to E) of six sows per group in a completely randomized design (CRD). Group A: Non pregnant (control), Group B: Early gestation (38 days), Group C: Mid gestation (78 days), Group D: Late gestation (112 days) and Group E: Post gestation (14 days postpartum). Blood samples were collected from the non-pregnant control and during four stages of gestation (early gestation, mid gestation, late gestation and post-gestation). The mean Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) activity of group B sows was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than group C but showed no significant (p > 0.05) variations when compared to groups D, E and control. The mean Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity of the treated groups (D and E) was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased when compared to the control. The mean total protein (TP) and globulin (G) concentrations of treated groups (B, C and D) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the control. The mean albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio of group B was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the control. There were however, no significant variations (p > 0.05) in the mean Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) activity, Aspartate Aminotransferase/Alanine Aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio and albumin concentrations among all the groups. This present study has presented preliminary information on the changes in the serum liver function and protein parameters during gestation and after parturition in LW sows.
This study compared the accuracy and agreement of four commonly available point-of-care glucometers (PCGs) with a reference method for blood glucose determination in rabbits. Forty (40) healthy rabbits were used for the study. Blood (2 ml) was collected from the ear vein and the four PCGs were used to determine the blood glucose concentrations immediately. Thereafter, the samples were placed into test tubes without anticoagulant. The samples were processed appropriately and the serum harvested. Blood glucose test kit was used to measure glucose concentrations in serum by the glucose oxidase method. Data generated were analysed using Correlation coefficient, Student’s t-test and Bland Altman Plot. Results showed that the mean values generated by the PCGs were in agreement with the values generated by the laboratory method. Therefore, the four PCGs can be used to determine blood glucose concentration in rabbit with reasonable accuracy.
Food deprivation could arise from either starvation or fasting, as a natural or management-induced process, which may have beneficial or detrimental effects necessitating attempts for amelioration. The present study evaluated the effects of vitamin C and common salt in fish water during a 21-day starvation period on morphometric, metabolic, oxidative stress, and cellular changes in the experimental Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822). Starvation induced significant (p<0.05) weight loss and decreased condition factor and hepatosomatic index that addition of either vitamin C or common salt did not significantly (p>0.05) ameliorate. Although the starvation induced some non-significant (p>0.05) metabolic changes and oxidative stress damages in the starved fish, vitamin C or common salt addition to the fish water during the period had no significant (p>0.05) effects. However, the addition of vitamin C and common salt to the fish water during the starvation period significantly (p<0.05) induced lipid peroxidation, which calls for further elucidations. The addition of vitamin C or common salt to fish during starvation had no significant (p>0.06) ameliorative effects on starvation-induced physiological, metabolic, and oxidative stress damage in the exposed Clarias gariepinus thereby necessitating further investigations, especially on the recorded prooxidative effects of vitamin C and common salt.
Anthrax, a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, had not been reported in Nigeria since December 31, 2004. However, its re-emergence poses challenges due to the bacterium's persistence in soil and animal products. On July 13, 2023, a suspected bovine anthrax case was reported in Niger State. The laboratory confirmation followed on July 17, 2023, at the National Reference Laboratory, Plateau State. Among 29 animals, 10 were infected, with six deaths in a flock of sheep. A second outbreak occurred on July 17, 2023, at Marina and Central Abattoir Oko-oba Agege, affecting nine sheep and one camel. Six sheep died, yielding a mortality rate of 42.9%. The NVRI, Jos confirmed this outbreak on July 25, 2023. Despite containment efforts, another outbreak was reported on January 17, 2024, in Lagos State, involving 16 cattle, five confirmed cases, and four deaths (CFR: 80%). Between 2023 and 2024, Nigeria recorded 1,352 suspected anthrax cases, with 53 confirmed cases and 40 deaths. In 2023 alone, 1,336 suspected cases led to 48 confirmed cases and 36 deaths (CFR: 75%). In contrast, 2024 saw 16 suspected cases, five confirmed, and four deaths (CFR: 80%). The resurgence underscores the need for a One Health approach integrating human, animal, and environment. Stronger coordination among stakeholders is essential to prevent further outbreaks and protection of public health.
